Windows 8 Hybrids: Netbooks That Just Aren't Worth It

Windows 8 hardware sales are off to a slow start as shoppers scratch their heads over Microsoft’s new operating system and flock to low-cost tablets instead. Could a souped-up netbook save the day? The latest hybrids powered by Intel Atom processors promise the best of both worlds: the versatility of a laptop combined with the portability of a touch screen slate. But now that we’ve tested a couple of these detachables, I’ve concluded that the folks who price these things are detached from reality.

It’s important to understand why Atom-powered tablet-notebooks potentially represent the just-right porridge of the Windows 8 hybrid world. Unlike $499-to-$799 ARM-powered Windows RT devices like the Microsoft Surface, Windows 8 systems with Atom inside can run both traditional desktop applications and apps downloaded from the Windows Store. And while Intel Core-powered Ultrabook convertibles such as the Dell XPS 12 and Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga are faster, they cost anywhere from $999 to $1,199.

Windows 8 detachables, such as the Acer Iconia W510, Samsung Ativ Smart PC 500T and HP Envy x2, sit between the two above categories in terms of price and power. These versatile combos sport designs that make it fairly easy to switch from tablet to laptop mode and Intel’s Atom Z2760 processor. This CPU was designed to deliver long battery life (as much as 10 hours of local HD video playback), along with three weeks of connected standby time.

Because these detachables’ keyboard docks have their own built-in batteries, users can enjoy epic endurance in laptop mode. The 11-inch HP Envy x2, for instance, lasted nearly 12 hours on a charge on the LAPTOP Battery Test. The smaller W510 (10 inches) lasted an even longer 15:09 with its dock.

The staying power isn’t as impressive in tablet mode. The Iconia W510 lasted 8 hours and 49 minutes, which is better than the ARM-powered Surface RT (7:43) and Vivo Tab (6:33) but still 3.5 hours behind the fourth-generation iPad. The larger Envy x2 lasted a fairly short 6:52, about an hour less than the average tablet.

Unfortunately, Atom-powered Windows 8 hybrids are just too slow to justify the premium. On PCMark 07, for instance, the W510 scored 1,305. A $600 11-inch ultraportable laptop such as the Acer Aspire V5-171, which sports a Core i5 CPU, notched 2,427 on the same test. That’s 85 per cent faster for $150 less.

Atom-powered detachables also trail their Core-powered cousins in real-world performance tests. On our Spreadsheet test (matching 20,000 names to their addresses), the W510 took 29 minutes and 56 seconds and the Envy x2 29:45. That’s five times as long as the cheaper Aspire V5 notebook (5:48). Thinking about editing video? The HP Envy x2 took nearly 6 minutes to transcode a 5-minute HD video to iPod touch format. For those scoring at home, that’s slower than real time. The average ultraportable laptop takes 1:08.

These Atom-powered convertibles are also saddled with slow flash memory. While both the Acer and HP booted Windows 8 within 20 seconds, they took their sweet time on our file transfer test. The average ultraportable laptop offers a transfer rate of 77 MBps, compared with a measly 22 MBps for the Envy x2 and 10.8 MBps for the W510.

Here’s another example of how Atom-enabled hybrids will keep you waiting. It took the W510 8 seconds to open a 50MB PowerPoint presentation, versus 2 seconds for the Iconia W700 with its Core i5 CPU and 128GB SSD. At least the W510 beat the ARM-powered Surface’s 13 seconds.

Keep in mind that you’re getting half as much storage as comparably priced Ultrabooks. The W510, Envy x2 and Samsung Ativ Smart PC 500T all come with just 64GB of flash memory. That’s fairly good for a tablet but not for a notebook that’s priced in the $800 to $900 range. You can get a full-fledged Ultrabook like the Toshiba Portege Z935, which features a fast Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD, for $799. By the way, the Toshiba weighs 2.4 pounds, compared with 3.1 pounds for the Envy x2, though only the latter has a touch screen.

As a notebook, the Acer W510 suffers from a cramped keyboard (about what we’d expect from a 10-incher), but even the 11-inch HP x2 fell flat in terms of feedback and comfort. We hope the Samsung Ativ, which also includes a pen for input, is better.

How good are these hybrids as tablets? Well, the 11-inchers not only are larger than the iPad but are heavier at 680 to 750 grams, making them a bit awkward to hold for extended periods. The 10-inch W510, on the other hand, is lighter than the iPad at 544 grams. No matter which size you choose, though, you’ll be disappointed in the shallow selection of apps in the Windows Store.

As a concept, Atom-powered Windows 8 hybrids have potential, but they ultimately don’t deliver the best notebook or tablet experience. I wouldn’t say they represent the worst of both worlds, but I certainly wouldn’t charge as much as $1000. It’s just too close to Ultrabook territory when you’re not getting anywhere near that kind of performance. A $650 price tag would seem much more reasonable. Windows 8 device makers will lose more on each hybrid sold, but they’ll be able to manage expectations while Microsoft and its partners continue to fill the Windows Store with more apps.

Price + battery life. I'm lucky to get through a feature film on battery power with my i5 powered Aspire laptop. Depends what you need it for though. I wouldn't buy a hybrid unless I spent a lot of time away from my desk.

I was out shopping for hybrid Win 8 convertible last night. I want a smaller and lighter laptop/tablet combination to take to meetings and when I'm travelling.

Asus Taichi: I thought this was would be The One. Then I discovered the inner screen isn't a touchscreen. That cripples its use in Windows 8, which is easier to navigate with screen touch than a touchpad.

Asus Transformer Book: close, but the chicklet keyboard is too hard to type on reliably, and it's a bit heavy.

Lenovo Yoga: close, but I'd prefer the tablet to detach from keyboard if possible, as sometimes I just want to take a tablet to a meeting. Plus, it just feels weird holding it in tablet mode with the squishy keyboard exposed at the back.

Lenovo Twist: close, would be ideal, were it not for the low battery life, and no backlit keyboard for use at night on planes.

I think the Samsung ATIV might be the best present choice. I can separate the tablet, the keyboard is more like a real laptop keyboard, and the inclusion of a pen for handwritten notes will be a useful feature. My only niggle is that it's a bit bigger than I'd ideally like.

Where did you see a TAICHI? I've been looking for them everywhere and no-one has any yet. I actualyl like the fact the inner screen is not touch-responsive as it will keep it pristine. The worst thing about phones and tablets is constantly having to clean the screens. It drives me nuts and makes having a high-res screen a complete waste of time as far as I'm concerned.

Sorry, didn't actually see one of those. Rather, while I was out looking at other hybrids a salesman mentioned the Taichi. So I used one of the instore terminals to read the reviews, and only then discovered its inner screen is not a touch screen.

From using my Asus Transformer, I find that being able to touch the screen, even when it's docked to the keyboard, is more efficient than relying on the touchpad.

I have the HP Envy X2 (I'm writing these comments on it :-) )..
Yes it's no speed demon, but why would you even look at a tablet / hybrid if speed is what you want?? I work as a Systems Engineer, and love the fact that it can run all my usual windows Apps and utilities.. Yes it won't break any speed limits.. but for something to take on flights.. Business trips.. it's perfect. I Love the killer battery life.. a LAN port in the dock would have been good.. But I'm more than happy with it.. For the heavy lifting I use my main PC with Intel i5 etc in it.

I'm slightly perplexed by this story, can someone help me out. Was giz just flaming these Hybrids because despite having awesum battery life and good price point, they just take too long (like an extra 6 seconds) to open a program compared to its more powerful, expensive and sucky battery life counterparts? That's what i took from it?
Basically I am looking for a new laptop/netbook/win 8 anything right now. My i5 desktop pc was sick last year, and during its time away (and for troubleshooting its problems) i had to use my old eeepc1000ha runnin xp. It was frustrating slow, I'm just looking for a backup machine that can also double up as a bit of sofa surfing etc. No gaming or powerful programs required (tho if it plays 1080p content with an HDMI out that might be handy). So to me these Atom Hybrids seem to tick the right box, no?
What am i missing?